Interchangeable Stamp Block Carrier for Chocolate Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods for producing shell-like edible goods, such as cocoa-containing or chocolate-like products, lack flexibility during product changes, requiring significant time and specialized knowledge, making them inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A stamp block carrier frame designed to allow multiple stamp blocks to be easily moved between operating and non-operating positions, enabling quick product changes without tools, and using multiple changing frames to optimize production line flexibility and reduce operator expertise requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed stamp block is used in the mold, then the production process is simple and stable, but the flexibility for product changes is poor and requires significant time and specialized knowledge for changes
Solution Approach 1:
The stamp block carrier frame is divided into multiple slots, each capable of holding a different stamp block. This segmentation allows individual stamp blocks to be independently selected and changed without affecting the entire system, enabling quick product changes while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stamp block carrier frame is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different stamp blocks with the same mounting interface. This multi-functionality allows the same carrier frame to produce different food products by simply changing the stamp blocks, greatly improving adaptability without increasing overall device complexity.
2Loss of time
If multiple stamp blocks are mounted on a changing frame, then product change flexibility is improved and tool-free changes are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stamp blocks are pre-mounted on the changing frame in ready-to-use positions. When a product change is needed, the entire prepared set of stamp blocks can be quickly swapped onto the carrier frame without requiring individual installation or tool use, significantly reducing changeover time.
Solution Approach 2:
The stamp block carrier frame incorporates movable elements that allow stamp blocks to be easily inserted and removed. The dynamic design includes features such as removable holders or clips that enable quick attachment and detachment of stamp blocks without fixed fastenings, reducing changeover time while keeping the structure relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If several stamp blocks are mounted on a changing frame, then adaptability for different products is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to increased specialist knowledge requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The changing frame is designed with self-aligning features and intuitive positioning mechanisms that guide the operator in correctly installing stamp blocks without requiring specialized knowledge. The system essentially guides itself, making the changing process straightforward and reducing the skill level needed for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stamp blocks are arranged on the changing frame in a systematic spatial configuration that optimizes accessibility. By organizing multiple stamp blocks in a structured layout on the frame, operators can easily locate and change specific blocks without complex procedures, improving ease of operation while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing chocolate items, particularly casings for hollow chocolate bodies, wherein the fluid chocolate mass is metered in a predetermined amount in the shape of an alveole, and subsequently a die element is submerged into the chocolate, and after a predetermined dwell time has passed, is then removed. For this purpose, the die element may alternatively perform a vertical movement, or the mold can be lifted underneath the die element by means of suitable means. To this end, both fixed dies (milled die plates or die blocks), and flexible, resilient dies may be utilized. In order to optimize the method and/or the device with regard to the flexibility of product changes within a chocolate production facility, according to the invention one, two, or more die blocks of various characteristics are mounted onto an interchangeable rack such that a product change is enabled even without requiring any tools in a very short amount of time.